Fourth-wave entrepreneurs completed their training within the scope of the Sber500 international accelerator program, with 25 startup teams advancing as finalists. The event opened by German Gref, president of Sberbank, highlighted that the selection process was incredibly rigorous, noting that 50 teams vied for every available slot.
Across 36 countries, 1,250 technology startups submitted applications to join the program. Among the applicants were teams from the United States and China, Germany and the Netherlands, Israel and Singapore, India and the United Arab Emirates, Argentina and Costa Rica, as well as entrants from less-expected regions such as South Sudan and Syria, underscoring the global reach of the Russian accelerator.
During the two-week online intensive phase, 150 teams completed the curriculum, and from there the best 25 teams representing Russia, India, and Turkey earned slots in the main accelerator track. These finalists then had the chance to showcase their products to an audience of investors during a dedicated demo day.
The selection of finalists involved Sberbank and more than 30 leading technology companies and investment funds that partner with the accelerator. For the first time at the Sber500 demo day, startup founders could present directly on stage to actual investors and senior executives, with immediate opportunities for cooperation and deals to emerge on the spot. This live interaction underscored the program’s role as a bridge between innovation and real-world funding and collaboration. (Source: Sberbank affiliated organizers and participating partners)
Gref described technological entrepreneurship as a cornerstone of the country’s strengths. He noted that the accelerator’s session not only demonstrated Russia’s emerging tech capabilities but also showcased the presence of deep talent and a climate where bold ideas can turn into impactful ventures. (Source: Official remarks from Sberbank leadership)
Looking ahead, the event illustrated that startups are fundamentally tied to the future. The demo day functioned as a high-energy technology showcase, where participants pitched in a concise elevator format, typically lasting about a minute and a half to two minutes. The experience highlighted advanced tools such as augmented reality and extended reality to create immersive pitch contexts. In one scenario, a napkin field in a cafe signified a signed venture concept, while another setup placed the founder inside a taxi field, meeting a driver-founder presenting the venture to a passenger investor. A lounge or airport area also served as a venue for rapid investor introductions. These staged environments emphasized speed, clarity, and storytelling in securing investor attention, illustrating how modern tech storytelling can move from concept to potential collaboration in moments. (Source: Demo day program description)